NDSU Students Are Modifying Toys for Kids with Disabilities

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Within an NDSU engineering building, students are working away like Santa’s elves. Modifying toys for kids that have disabilities.

“Yeah, especially getting closer to finals week and kind of getting into the weeds of doing theoretical problems, electrical engineering,” said Cole Rahne, an electrical engineering student. “Just solving circuits on paper and sometimes it’s nice to be able to apply that to something real world and tangible, pick up and touch. Also, play with a toy. Also, knowing that it’s going out to kids for the holidays is something that makes this event really special and fun.”

This is the 5th annual Toy Adaptathon which is led by the Eta Kappa Nu, partnering with area therapy groups to distribute the donated toys. These electrical engineering students are modifying switch-activated toys for children with physical and motor disabilities.

“We have buttons that are this big around and you can plug it into a little toy and instead of having some small button,” said Chris Miller, an electrical engineering student. “For example, we have a record player. Instead of having a kid use that small button, you can plug another switch in and you get a giant button and they can smack it like that.”

Because the new switch on these toys will be more accessible and easy to operate.

“Making it accessible to kids that otherwise couldn’t have it. Knowing that that’s the impact that these toys and this work’s having. It kind of motivates you to work harder.” said Rahne.

These students will also be modifying toys on December 6.